By Fred Altvater
As everyone knows the Solheim Cup is coming to Toledo next year, September 4-6. Inverness demonstrated just how tough it can play, when the LPGA restarted its 2020 season with the Drive ON Championship. Danielle Kang reaffirmed her ability to play difficult courses well and made it a clean sweep by winning both the Drive ON and the Marathon Classic in consecutive weeks.
What many don’t know, however, is that just prior to the Solheim Cup, 24 of the world’s top female junior golfers will compete in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Sylvania Country Club.
Just like the Solheim Cup the PING Junior Solheim features the 12 best females, ages 12-18, from the Untied States and Europe in a team match play format. Over two days of competition the teams do battle in foursomes, four-ball and singles matches.
Annika Sorenstam has been picked to Captain the European Junior Solheim Cup Team and Ohio’s own golfing legend, Renee Powell will Captain Team USA.
“I can’t wait to see the growth from when I first meet each player to when the last ball is picked up from the last hole in the PING Junior Solheim Cup,” Powell said. “I’m excited to be able to see the excitement on [the girls’] faces when they are doing what they love and representing the United States. I am proud that my state of Ohio is the host state for both the PING Junior Solheim Cup and the Solheim Cup.”
Powell grew up learning to play golf at the age of three on the course her father, William, built and owned in East Canton. She played collegiately at both Ohio University and Ohio State, before becoming only the second woman of color to become a full member of the LPGA Tour. She still operates the family course, Clearview Golf Course and enjoys helping female military veterans learn the game through PGA HOPE.
She has continued to help grow the game of golf internationally and her achievements have been rewarded with induction into the PGA Hall of Fame. She was also one of the first seven women offered membership into The Royal & Ancient, plus the University of St. Andrews named a dormitory in her honor.
With two legends in women’s golf, Annika Sorenstam and Renee Powell as the captains, the young women on both PING Junior Solheim Cup Teams will have a learning experience, like no other.
